What is the Best Thing to Harvest in Stardew Valley?
The question of the “best” harvest in Stardew Valley is multifaceted, depending on whether you prioritize raw profit, ease of access, or overall long-term sustainability. However, if we’re talking pure, unadulterated, profitability, the answer is quite clear: Ancient Fruit Wine. While technically not a single “harvestable” item but rather a processed good made from a crop, the process of growing and processing Ancient Fruit into Wine yields the highest per-item returns in the entire game. However, it’s important to understand that this involves a significant amount of progression before it is achievable. Let’s dive deeper into the details.
The Case for Ancient Fruit Wine
The Raw Value of Ancient Fruit
Ancient Fruit, while rare at the beginning of the game, is a regrowing crop that produces fruit every seven days after initial maturity. The base sell price of a single Ancient Fruit is 550g, and its value increases significantly when processed into wine. The magic happens in the Preserves Jar and the Cask.
Wine Production and Casking
When you put an Ancient Fruit into a Preserves Jar, you can make a bottle of Ancient Fruit wine. Uncasked wine has a base sell price of 1,650 gold. The real money, however, is made when you age this wine in a cask. Ageing wine in a cask increases its quality and, consequently, its price. After a good while of ageing, Iridium quality Ancient Fruit Wine sells for a whopping 4,620 gold, turning each Ancient Fruit into a lucrative investment, all the while being a relatively low-maintenance process as you only have to put more Ancient Fruit in once a week.
Why Ancient Fruit Wins Over Other Crops
While crops like Starfruit can also be processed into wine, Ancient Fruit has a crucial advantage: Regrowth. Unlike Starfruit which has to be replanted every harvest, Ancient Fruit can be harvested multiple times without needing to be reseeded. This makes it perfect for the Greenhouse where crops can grow all year round and makes it the most powerful way of accumulating wealth as it requires far less labour.
Beyond Ancient Fruit: Other Notable Harvests
While Ancient Fruit Wine is the most profitable overall, there are other contenders for specific situations and seasons:
Cranberries: The Fall Workhorse
In terms of raw crop profits in the Fall, Cranberries are king. Each seed costs 240g, and they take seven days to mature and produce two seeds every five days. With their ability to generate more seeds and a sell price of 75g per berry, they offer the best return per day. While not as lucrative per item as Ancient Fruit Wine, their high-frequency harvest and consistent output make them a reliable source of income.
Strawberries: The Spring Powerhouse
Strawberries, which are obtainable during the Spring Egg Festival, are the top choice for the Spring season. They regrow after initial harvest, and can sell between 120 and 240 gold a piece, providing an excellent return on investment. A well-planned Spring with Strawberries will get your farm ready for the rest of the year.
Melons, Pumpkins and Starfruit: Summer Champions
For the summer, Melons, Pumpkins, and Starfruit provide substantial value. Although Starfruit doesn’t regrow after harvest, it is a popular crop due to its high selling price which is further boosted when turned into wine. This makes it a great crop for short-term financial gain.
Sweet Gem Berry: The Rare Gem
The Sweet Gem Berry is one of the most valuable individual crops, worth up to 3,000g. However, it is rare, hard to obtain, and not regrowable making it less ideal for mass production than Ancient Fruit. It’s more of a special crop to get on the side rather than the main focus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most profitable crop to grow in Stardew Valley early game?
For early-game profit, Potatoes are a fantastic choice to accelerate early financial growth. They provide good starting money and help you level up the farming skill faster. However, the energy drain from growing a lot of potatoes should be taken into consideration.
2. What are the best crops to grow in the Greenhouse?
The Greenhouse is best suited for regrowing crops that can be harvested all year round. Ancient Fruit, Strawberries, and Coffee Beans are the most valuable and practical in this space. Fruit Trees are also a great permanent investment.
3. How do I get Ancient Fruit seeds?
You can obtain Ancient Seeds from ancient seed artifacts from the mines, fishing chests, or by using the seed maker on the few Ancient Fruit that you have. It’s quite a hard thing to obtain in the early game.
4. Is it worth it to use the Seed Maker on Ancient Fruit?
Yes! Using the Seed Maker on an Ancient Fruit can give you between one and three new seeds. This is the most efficient way of expanding your Ancient Fruit farming.
5. How do I maximize my profits with wine?
To maximize profits with wine, invest in a cellar to store your casks. Age your wines to Iridium quality and then sell for the highest price.
6. What is the best single item for profit in Stardew Valley?
Technically, Legend II fish are the most expensive sellable single item with a price of 15,000 gold when sold with the right profession and at top quality. However, this is not an item you harvest, but rather fish. When talking about crops, it is Iridium quality Ancient Fruit Wine with a base sell price of 4,620 gold that wins.
7. Are animals a good way to make money?
Yes, but not as much as crops. While Pigs and Ostrich can be profitable, crops are still the most consistent way to make money.
8. What is the rarest item in Stardew Valley?
The Living Hat is considered one of the rarest items, with an extremely low drop rate from specific slimes, along with items such as the Prismatic Shard and the Dinosaur Egg.
9. What should I do with a Prismatic Shard?
A Prismatic Shard can be used to obtain the Galaxy Sword in the desert, which is a very useful tool for the mines, or donated to the museum.
10. Are rice shoots worth planting?
Rice Shoots are not profitable when just turned into milled rice. However, they can be beneficial as a source of free recipes for cooking or for use in the Ginger Island.
11. What is the highest-selling Spring crop?
Strawberries, which are acquired at the Spring Egg Festival, are the best Spring crop due to their high sell price and regrowing nature.
12. What are the best gifts for villagers?
Most villagers like foraged items, and many like gems, but loved gifts depend on the individual villager and are easily found on the internet.
13. Is there an end to Stardew Valley?
There isn’t a true ending. After three years, your grandfather will visit in a dream, but you can continue playing indefinitely.
14. What is the best farm layout?
The best farm layout depends on the playstyle, but the Standard Farm is a good pick for beginners, while more advanced players often choose the Four Corners Farm for its versatility.
15. Should I focus on crops or animals early on?
Crops are typically the most efficient way to accumulate wealth in the early stages. Animals can be a great addition later on, but crops provide a more direct path to financial growth.
In conclusion, while many crops and methods offer substantial profits in Stardew Valley, Ancient Fruit Wine stands as the most profitable option due to its scalability, ease of production in the Greenhouse, and the high value of the final product. Plan wisely, diversify your farm for other needs, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving wealth and prosperity in the Valley!